Plateau Valley Fire Protection District

09/03/2026

*Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests Rescind Stage 1 Fire Restrictions*

(Delta, CO, Sept. 02, 2026) — All lands managed by the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests will rescind Stage 1 Fire Restrictions beginning September 3 at 12:01 a.m., restoring conditions to unrestricted fire use.

Recent precipitation and improved fuel moisture levels across the forest have reduced overall fire danger, allowing fire managers to lift restrictions. While conditions have improved, fire personnel emphasize that wildfire risk is never fully eliminated.

“This has been a busy fire season. Thank you to all our visitors and local communities for respecting the restrictions during these months of elevated fire danger,” said Chad Stewart, GMUG National Forests’ Forest Supervisor. “As we rescind Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, we encourage everyone to remain attentive when recreating. Responsible fire practices protect both people and the landscape we all value.”

With restrictions lifted, campfires are once again allowed outside developed campgrounds and recreation sites. However, neighboring federal, state and local jurisdictions may still have restrictions in place. Visitors should verify current rules for the specific area they plan to visit before engaging in any activities involving fire or other ignition sources.

Fire managers remind forest visitors to continue practicing safe fire habits, especially in areas with dry vegetation or heavy dead and downed trees. Wildfire prevention practices include:
• Never leaving a campfire unattended.
• Using designated fire rings or established fire sites whenever possible.
• Clearing flammable materials around campfire areas.
• Fully extinguishing campfires using the “drown‑stir-drown‑feel” method until cool to the touch.

Even accidental ignitions can result in civil or criminal penalties. Learn more about campfire safety at www.smokeybear.com.

For updates on fire conditions, recreation information, and forest alerts, visit the official GMUG website or follow us on Facebook.

09/03/2026

The Mesa County Sheriff, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Grand Junction Field Office, Colorado National Monument, and the Fire Chiefs representing municipalities and fire protection districts of Mesa County will reduce all Fire Restrictions...

08/31/2026

Crews from Plateau Valley Fire and USFS are currently on scene of a small brush fire at Powderhorn Ski resort. Smoke may be visible as crews work on extinguishment.

08/24/2026

Update 12:00pm: Fire crews consisting of USFS resources and Plateau Valley Fire have successfully gained access to the Kimball Creek Fire and are beginning suppression efforts with assistance from aircraft. More resources are scheduled to arrive later in the day.

The fire is estimated at 2-3 acres of timber/aspen mix. The fire is experiencing occasional torching and spotting that may be visible throughout the valley.

Wildfire Alert

Ground crews are actively responding to a wildfire in the Kimball Creek area.

We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

08/20/2026

*Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests Move to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions starting Aug. 20.*

All lands managed by the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests will move from Stage 2 to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions beginning August 20 at 12:01 a.m. through December 31, unless rescinded.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Order:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug/alerts/stage-1-fire-prohibitions

News Release: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug/newsroom/releases/grand-mesa-uncompahgre-and-gunnison-national-forests-move-stage-1-fire-0

08/12/2026

We are hiring!

The application can be found at:
https://plateauvalleyfire.colorado.gov/careers

Email your completed application and resume to: [email protected]

Or drop off in person at: 49084 KE 1/2 Rd. Mesa, Colorado.

07/02/2026

06/29/2026

Our deepest condolences go out to the 3 fire fighters and their loved ones,who sacrificed everything for the Colorado/ Utah fire. Thank you for your service, they will never be forgotten. We also hope for a fast and smooth recovery for the other 2 injured during the fire.

We are saddened to share the identities of the three firefighters we lost responding to the Knowles Fire in western Colorado on Saturday. The firefighters were assigned to the R***e Helitack crew and were engaged in initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire when the incident occurred.

The deceased firefighters have been identified as:
💜Emily Barker, 38, of Clinton Township, Michigan, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service R***e Helitack.

💜Nick Hutcherson, 27 of Glendale, Arizona, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Kaibab National Forest.

💜Sydney Watson, 27, of Warrior, Alabama, assigned to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service R***e Helitack.

Two additional firefighters were injured during the incident and are receiving medical care.

“We mourn the loss of three firefighters who answered the call to protect others and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow citizens,” said U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy. “Our thoughts are with their families, loved ones, friends and crewmates as they face an unimaginable loss. These firefighters embodied the courage, professionalism and selflessness that define the wildland fire service. Please join me and my family in keeping our thoughts and prayers with the families of the fallen and our injured firefighters and their families.”

The full press release can be found here: https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/identities-released-three-firefighters-who-died-responding-knowles-fire-colorado

06/25/2026

** Mesa County To Enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Effective Friday, June 26, 2026, at 12:01 A.M. **

The Mesa County Sheriff, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Grand Junction Field Office, Colorado National Monument, and the Fire Chiefs representing municipalities and fire protection districts of Mesa County are implementing Stage 2 fire restrictions effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 26, 2026. These restrictions apply to all private land and the Department of the Interior - BLM managed public lands within Mesa County.

The GMUG National Forest moved to stage 1 fire restrictions on June 25, 2026. For current fire restriction guidelines on federal land, reference the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service websites.

Fire restrictions are implemented based on specific criteria, including the moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, and human risk factors. Please review the information below for prohibited actions and activities while in Stage 2 fire restrictions.

Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit:
🔥The use of anything that produces an open flame that is not liquid-fueled or gas-fueled, including but not limited to:
👉Building, maintaining, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal grill, coal, wood-burning stove, sheepherder’s stove, tiki torches, fire pits, and chimineas, including in developed picnic, camping areas, and at private residences.
🔥Parking or driving a motor vehicle off established roads, motorized trails, or established parking areas unless the parking area has no vegetation within 10 feet of the vehicle.
🔥The personal use of any fireworks.
🔥Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
🔥Any unpermitted use of fire to burn debris or vegetation.
🔥Shooting tracer rounds or explosive-type targets or the use of explosives, including fuses, blasting caps, and rockets.
🔥Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame EXCEPT in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter and in possession of a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher.

Stage 2 fire restrictions allow:
✅Only devices that are liquid-fueled or gas-fueled, gas grills, stoves, or lanterns with shut-off valves may be used at least three feet away from flammable materials such as dry vegetation.
✅Gas fire pits are allowed under a fire ban so long as the fire can be “turned off” rather than “put out.”
✅Agricultural burns only with a Sheriff’s Office-issued permit.

As we have witnessed in the past two months, a single spark has the potential to cause a dangerous fire and spread quickly when combined with the dry conditions and consistently high temperatures we have experienced.

In addition to adhering to stage 2 fire restrictions, community members are asked to be aware of all other potential fire dangers when outdoors. For example, unsecured chains dragging behind a vehicle can cause sparks, which ignite dry vegetation along the side of a road, or a hot exhaust pipe from a car parked in tall grass poses a significant fire risk. Additionally, ci******es must be disposed of in proper receptacles and never thrown on the ground.

06/10/2026

The Mesa County Sheriff, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Grand Junction Field Office, Colorado National Monument, and the Fire Chiefs representing municipalities and fire protection districts of Mesa County are implementing Stage 1 Fire